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Oct 14, 2012

Your own hometown

Jesus left there and went to His own hometown, accompanied by His disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard Him were amazed.

"Where did this man get these things?" they asked "What is this wisdom that has been given to Him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him.

Jesus said to them "A prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own home."

I understand why the people in Jesus' hometown thought what they did when He came and taught in their synagogue.. Here was a guy that they had watched since He was a toddler.. They saw Him grow up, probably watched Him play with his friends and His siblings, they watched Him go with His parents and siblings to church just like everyone else..

They watched Him do his chores, and later build furniture.. They saw Him live his life, just like everyone else.. It wasn't until He went away at 30 years old and was baptized by His cousin, John the Baptist that he began preaching.. So to the people in His hometown He was just "Mary's boy".. And then to see Him come back claiming to be the true biological Son of the most High God, and then telling them to change their ways? Really, it had to be a bit much for them..

Imagine if it were you.. You have a friend that you grew up with; you know everything about him.. How he thinks, how he behaves, what he's like when no one else is around.. You have seen him do some pretty messed up things, and heard him say some pretty stupid stuff.. But then he 'find's God' and not to long after, he is telling you all about the Bible, and commenting on your behavior.. I can understand how that might irk you a bit..

But I can also understand Jesus' frustration too.. He is the Son of God.. Hehas been called by God to teach the Word, and preach to his peers, He was anointed by God to do so.. He was sent to help them.. And then to have His own people; His friends, His family, everyone who knew him the best, take offense at Him?

I am sure they thought He was full of Himself, maybe self-righteous, a know-it-all.. Maybe they thought He considered Himself above them, smarter than them, better than them.. Or maybe they just thought He was a whacko with delusions of grandeur.. Either way, they did not believe in Him.. People everywhere else who were strangers to Him, followed Him wherever He went, hung on His every word, begged Him to heal them..

But his own people just shook their heads, rolled their eyes and walked away from Him..

OK, so what is my point? It's pretty simple..

God made each of us for a purpose.. A particular purpose.. Each of us are called to do something.. A calling that will glorify God, spread His word, and help others.. It will be amazing.. No matter how big or small it is.. But there will be people who will doubt you, question your motives, or ignore you completely.. There will be people who will be envious of you, say bad things about you, and people who might even stop being your friend because God called you to do something..

5 comments:

Such a great post. My family does not know the Lord so it's hard from them to see me serving the Lord like I do. They do not understand why I do the things I do. I am believing they will all come to know Him one day and find their true purpose!